Police Arrest Dennis Vann After RV Standoff Near Maplewood Mall

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Police arrested a 42-year-old man who barricaded himself inside an RV for several hours near Maplewood Mall Wednesday, and claimed to be in possession of an explosive device.

Officers tried to pull over the driver of an RV on an outstanding arrest warrant in Maplewood just after 5 p.m. The driver instead led police on a chase.

(credit: CBS)

Officers later found the RV near the mall on White Bear Avenue, but they say the man inside — later identified as Dennis Vann — said he had an improvised explosive device in his vehicle. Police evacuated some nearby shops, and the St. Paul Police Bomb Squad was called to the scene.

After several hours of unsuccessful negotiation, Vann surrendered after police deployed an irritating gas. Vann was taken into custody at about 9:30 p.m., and he was brought to Ramsey County Jail after a medical evaluation at Regions Hospital.

He is expected to face new charges, including fleeing police in a vehicle and threatening violence.